The clock:

29 days until President Trump addresses a joint session of Congress (2/28/2017)

38 days until the final day of the 2017 Utah Legislature (3/9/2017)

281 days until the 2017 municipal elections (11/7/2017)

646 days until the 2018 midterm elections (11/6/2018)

1373 days until the 2020 presidential election (11/3/2020)

Ten talking points for Monday:

He's doing what he said he would. President Donald Trump's immigration ban, which he signed on Friday, has sparked chaos in America and around the globe [New York Times]. Trump's team kept the details of the ban quiet, and many American immigration officials didn't see the order until after it was put in effect [Wall Street Journal]. Trump is turning up the volume on his defense of the order as opposition mounts [Politico]. Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham say the immigration ban will be a boon for extremist groups [Washington Post]. The LDS Church released a statement following Trump's order, urging cooperation in finding a solution to the situation [KSL]. Demonstrations break out at airports across the United States, including in Salt Lake City [Deseret News]. Utah Sen. Mike Lee wants more information on what Trump is trying to accomplish with the ban [Tribune]. Most of those who voted for Mr. Trump are encouraged by the immigration ban [Reuters].

Turning Utah into a landlord. Sen. Gene Davis says it makes more sense for lawmakers to lease state-owned land rather than sell it to developers [Utah Policy]. Here's the video of our interview with Davis about the 2017 Utah Legislature [Utah Policy].

Staying mum on Trump's border wall. We asked Utah's House members in Congress if they thought President Donald Trump would be able to get Mexico to pay for construction of the wall on the southern border. Most of them wouldn't answer the question [Utah Policy].

Bracing for action on Bears Ears. Our panel of "Political Insiders" say they expect President Donald Trump to take action to reduce or completely undo the new Bears Ears National Monument [Utah Policy].

Tear down that curtain. Gov. Gary Herbert says he wants lawmakers to tear down the so-called "Zion Curtain" in in restaurants, the 7-foot barrier that shields patrons from seeing alcoholic beverages being mixed [Utah Policy].

Murky funding. The Utah League of Cities and Towns is trying to figure out the details of a mysterious fund that is being used to pay to place sponsored articles in the Deseret News. The fund came to light as part of a blistering audit released earlier this month [Tribune].

Testing the teachers. A proposal would require prospective teachers to pass a test showing they know how to teach before they can get a license [Deseret News].

Gearing up for a SCOTUS fight. President Trump is expected to name his pick to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court this week [Politico].

On this day in history:

1798 - The first fight to break out on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives began when one congressman spat in another's face.

1933 - Adolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany.

1948 - Indian political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi was murdered by a Hindu extremist.

Herbert says he wants lawmakers to kill the 'Zion Curtain'By Bob Bernick, Contributing EditorWhile it may have been a bit unclear in his State of the State address Wednesday night, under questioning from the media Friday afternoon, Gov. Gary Herbert said he favors tearing down the so-called Zion Curtain and expects it to happen this legislative session....

Lawmakers detail plans for more study of medical marijuanaBy Bryan Schott, Managing EditorAs first reported by UtahPolicy.com, on Friday lawmakers discussed several medical marijuana bills coming this session that deal with process and study, not legalizing the plant for medical use, four lawmakers dealing with the issue said in a heavily-attended morning press c...

Policy News

Hatch on visa and refugee orderSenator Orrin G. Hatch, the senior Republican in the United States Senate, issued the following statement on President Donald Trump’s recent order entitled “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States”:...

Press release: TRUCE prepared to take it to the peopleThe Utah Legislature has again chosen to ignore the cries from thousands of patients in this state who beg for relief from chronic and terminal illness, and a safe alternative to dangerous and addictive opiates. Friday’s announcement by lawmakers‚ to only b...

Throwing Shade"President Trump is still settling into the White House, and I read that Trump's gold curtains in the Oval Office are the same ones Hillary picked out for Bill Clinton in 1993. So she may not be president, but Hillary still figured out a way to throw some shade." Jimmy Fallon

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